MotoGP: Moto2 Rider Emerges As Surprise 2025 Honda Contender

Saajan Jogia | Aug 7, 2024

Apr 14, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Takaaki Nakagami (30) of Japan and LCR Honda Idemitsu rides in warmups before the start of the MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Somkiat Chantra, currently riding for Honda Team Asia in Moto2, is speculated to be in contention with Takaaki Nakagami for an LCR Honda seat. With two Moto2 Grand Prix victories to his name, Chantra seems to be Honda's favored candidate for the final RC213V seat.

Earlier, Nakagami's position at Honda was threatened by speculation linking Moto2 rider Ai Ogura to the LCR seat. However, with Ogura likely joining Trackhouse Aprilia, Nakagami's spot for an eighth season with the team appears secure. But with Chantra reentering the equation, Nakagami reaffirmed his desire to continue riding for Idemitsu Honda LCR.

The 32-year-old Japanese rider currently occupies 20th place in the standings with 11 points. He is closely contending with fellow Honda riders Johann Zarco, who has 14 points, and Joan Mir, who has 13 points. With Luca Marini having earned just one point so far, Nakagami holds a 10-point lead over him. Zarco and Marini are in the first year of their two-year contracts, while Mir has recently secured a new two-year deal.

Speaking to the media about 'plan A', Nakagami said:

“My plan A is to stay with the same team and to continue because honestly speaking it is not fair to decide my potential this season because all four riders are struggling, not only me.

“It would be [good to have] a fair chance to show my speed with a competitive bike and to understand which position we are. Also, I can help with the development side and I have a lot of experience with a Honda bike. So let’s see.”

So far, only Fermin Aldeguer has been confirmed to move from Moto2 to MotoGP next season, having signed a contract with Ducati. Although his exact team is not yet announced, Davide Tardozzi has revealed that Fabio Di Giannantonio will stay at VR46 alongside Franco Morbidelli, suggesting that Aldeguer will join Alex Marquez at Gresini.

Di Giannantonio will join Ducati as the third rider to race a factory-spec Desmosedici for the next two seasons, with only three of these exclusive bikes available starting next year. This development follows Ducati's announcement at the British GP weekend that VR46 will become the official satellite team for the Borgo Panigale factory. VR46 will take over this role from Pramac, which will shift to becoming Yamaha's official satellite team at the end of 2024.

Revealing the news in a statement, as reported by Crash.net, Di Giannantonio said:

“Nine months ago I found myself without a bike to continue my dream and today I sign a contract with two of the most important entities in MotoGP; it's hard to believe.

“I'm very happy to be able to continue this fantastic journey together with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team and Ducati Corse for the next two seasons. I arrived here almost by chance, but I immediately felt at home and with the team we are doing really well.

“I will be on the track for two years with the official Ducati — we can and must aim to achieve ambitious results. It's a huge project, where I feel 100% involved and we can aim for the top step of the podium."